TOKYO, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- A majority of Japan's major companies forecast gradual economic expansion for 2025, with many pointing to the recovery of personal consumption driven by rising wages as a key factor, according to survey results released Monday.
Some 79 percent of the surveyed by the national broadcaster NHK predicted a gradual expansion of the economy, 18 percent expected it to remain flat and 3 percent anticipated gradual contraction.
The primary reasons cited for optimism included the recovery in personal consumption due to wage increases, an increase in capital investment, and the expansion of inbound tourism consumption.
The survey, conducted between Dec. 13, 2024, and Jan. 15, 2025, targeted 100 leading domestic companies, of which 95 responded.
As high wage increases are anticipated in this year's spring labor negotiations, many companies believe these developments will support personal consumption growth and, in turn, bolster the domestic economy. ■